DBacks Daily 10/16/07 - It's the end of the season as we know it
Quotes of the Day
#1: "It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." ~ A. Bartlett Giamatti#2: "People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring." ~ Rogers Hornsby
#3: "To make no mistakes is not in the power of man; but from their errors and mistakes the wise and good learn wisdom for the future." ~ Plutarch
Well, here we are, 12 hours later, and it's still sinking in and the questions are still unanswered. How can our season be over already? How can we have just gotten swept by the Rockies? How come luck didn't go our way? Why didn't the offense show up? Who should we root for now? What's going to happen in the off-season?
There's plenty of time to think about all those questions now that we're out after 4 (Republic). Yes, a lot of things went the Rockies' way all series (MLB.com) but they were the catalysts for all those things happening - the good baserunning, the fabulous defense, the timely hits, the surprising bullpen. The Rockies were everything the Diamondbacks weren't (except our bullpen was pretty darn fabulous too). But the Diamondbacks never stopped battling (MLB.com) and came close, once again, in the 9th - they played all 27 outs, they were never out of it until the last ball was caught by Helton. Congratulations to the Rockies on a fabulous run, and stay hot. I hope you sweep right over the American League team you face next week.
A lot of things in this series can sum up the Dbacks' year.. the year of the strong bullpen, a lack of offense, young baserunners. But think of what we did right - we started three rookies, sometimes four. We blasted some mammoth home runs. We struck out some big opponents. We made some diving, leaping, and acrobatic catches. We have TSN's NL Manager of the Year. (MLB.com) And that is also indicative of the Dbacks' season, a season in which we had the best record in the league, won the NL West, and played our way into the NLCS. We should be very proud of the way they played through the year and remember they are likely to get even better next year. (MLB.com) This experience hurts, yes, but this team will come out strong again next year, knowing they can do it again.
Believe it or not it may be a relatively quiet winter (Republic) with a lot of the players still tied to us. But there are still plenty of questions to be answered. Do we trade away Chad Tracy and Carlos Quentin? Do we get a healthy RJ back (heh) come spring? Can Mark Reynolds learn not to strike out as much? Will Bonifacio beat out Callaspo for the reserve infielder spot? Who in the world will be our #5 starter? (Hm, that question sounds familiar...)
Stay tuned for all that and more... the off-season is just beginning. :)
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Just remember, folks
People ask me what I do
I would really prefer that neither Tracy or Quentin got traded. If Melvin's insantiy platoon at 1st is going to continue, I'd prefer it be with Tracy over Clark. Tracy can also play left and right.
Quentin still just has too much potential. You have to let him and Upton battle it out in sprint training.
5th starter? Scherzer, Murphy, Gonzalez (there's only one now), or JASON JENNINGS.
Let's get this post-post-season on.
5th starter
Dump tracy-callaspo, and dammit EXTEND HUDSONS CONTRACT!!!!
Willis
by AZSEAfan @ AZ Snakepit on Oct 16, 2007 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions
You really want
by AZSEAfan @ AZ Snakepit on Oct 16, 2007 4:47 PM EDT up reply actions
No.
Oh, wrong CJ.
funniest comment
by johngordonma on Oct 17, 2007 10:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Owings
Why not?
WTF is everyone's opposition to CoJack?
Personally...
by dbacksfan55555 on Oct 16, 2007 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Are we already starting this?
He hit 15 homers in 130 games (415 at bats). You give him 160 starts, like Byrnes got, and you're looking at 19 homers.
His defense is the only place he's lacking.
In what league
by AZSEAfan @ AZ Snakepit on Oct 16, 2007 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Also
Conor hits more like a second baseman in the 8 hole than a cleanup 1B. Plus his defense is horrid.
by AZSEAfan @ AZ Snakepit on Oct 16, 2007 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Ok
Carlos Gonzalez, maybe?
I'd like that
by dbacksfan55555 on Oct 16, 2007 5:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Problem with Tracy
by AZSEAfan @ AZ Snakepit on Oct 16, 2007 6:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Well
Or
by AZSEAfan @ AZ Snakepit on Oct 16, 2007 6:22 PM EDT up reply actions
I have the answer
Where do you suppose that we pull a "power bat for 1B" from?
Not to be a smartass
by AZSEAfan @ AZ Snakepit on Oct 17, 2007 2:46 AM EDT up reply actions
All the other teams?
Fielder - 50 - MIL
Howard - 47 - PHI
Pena - 46 - TB
Ortiz - 35 - BOS (not a 1b)
Berkman - 34 - HOU
Pujols - 32 - STL
Konerko - 31 - CHW
Morneau - 31 - MIN
Gonzalez - 30 - SD
Teixiera - 30 - ATL
I'm not sure what your definition of good is, so I stopped at 30. I see one guy that any team could have had and that's Carlos Pena, who I'm pretty sure nobody expected to even play this year, let alone do anything.
If we're going to penalize Jackson for not having the counting stats, you have to give him points for dealing with an insane manager that won't play him every day.
Lastly, I only see 2 of the 8 playoff teams represented here. Having a power hitter does not equal wins.
If he can play a full year like he did post ASB,
Also, pointing out that only 2 of the 8 playoff teams are have 1Bs on your list is a little disingenuous. Milwaukee and San Diego almost made it with Fielder and Gonzalez. Including AL teams is somewhat deceptive as well since they have the DH and don't need as much power from first.
Look at the season #s for the other 1Bs who made the postseason from the NL:
Derrek Lee - .313 BA, .913 OPS, 22 HRs
Todd Helton - .320, .928, 17, but much, much better on defense
Home run numbers or not, those two guys are both better "sluggers" than CoJack with his .836 OPS this season.
Really, the only postseason 1B who compares to CoJack is Ryan Garko - .289, .842, 21 HRs, 26 years old. Garko's like a carbon copy of our 1B. However, when you've got Pronk in the lineup, you can afford to do that.
by DbacksSkins on Oct 17, 2007 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Oops
I was told we can't substitute. We have to have a power hitter at 1st, no exceptions.
The argument of OPS is very valid and I think that Conor's .926 OPS post-ASB compares very nicely to what Lee and Helton did. I'm still willing to conceed that he's not a gold glover at 1st, but y'all need to agree that he's gotten better every year. Remember that this was just the 3rd season that he's played 1st.
The guy's only 25... isn't it reasonable to consider that he'll keep getting better if we let him play?
In regards to his defense
Well, you can't sub a CF for a 1B.
I don't know the defensive numbers for sure, but I'll concede that he's gotten better. It's tough to say it now, since his error in NLCS Game 4, but backing off a bit, I think he's improving and I think he'll keep on improving. He'll never be as good as Tony Clark, if for no other reason than the sheer wingspan.
Like I said, if he can play a full year like he did this year after the ASB, I'll be content. I'd still like more of those doubles to go over the fence, but I'm not labeling him a bust the way some people are.
One advantage CoJack has
Reynolds at first?
Does anyone know whether there's any thought in the organization as to trying Owings out at 1B rather than OF?
Not this season
No Reynolds hasn't
Another fun fact that I just saw is that Reynolds and Jackson have the same amount errors this year. Perhaps both would go down if they switched.
Errors
by AZSEAfan @ AZ Snakepit on Oct 17, 2007 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions
It seems to me...
Where do we pull a power bat for 1B from?
It's All About the Future Now
One thing that the D-Bax might want to consider is the possibility of imitating whatever the Rox did in spring training to improve their fielding. I seem to recall a comment by Hurdle that they worked on defense from the first day of spring training. (Of course, another thing the Rox seem to have done is find an official scorer at Coors Field who ruled the right way.)
But, all in all, losing this way is not entirely bad. The team, from Josh Byrnes on down, got the clear message that improvement is still necessary, and that there are formidable foes in the NL West. And the way the D-Bax played the last few innings of the last game of the NLCS will leave a heritage of pride and devotion for next year's team. The last image of the season was Byrnes desperately trying to make it to first on a grounder. For all his faults, Eric Byrnes leaves us with memorable (and sometimes ridiculous) images. "False hustle," my eye.
Meanwhile, Josh Byrnes can afford to take a fairly passive stance in the trade market. He can wait and see what develops. The team probably has at least one extra corner infielder, and maybe an outfielder to trade away. I can't imagine the Diamondbacks will be active in the free-agent market, except probably to wave good-bye to Livan Hernandez.
Emilio Bonifacio looks like a better possibility for the spare infield position than Callaspo, who may be one of those guys that needs a change of scenery.
And one more puzzling matter, at least to me: why do I not hear even the slightest murmur about the idea of getting Micah Owings to play a position? The team clearly needs at least one industrial-strength slugger. Among the players we have, Mark Reynolds and Micah Owings seem like the only really serious possibilities. (Yeah, okay, maybe I should have included Chris Young. But he looks to me more like our version of Soriano - not at all a bad thing to say, but not our answer to Lou Gehrig. Anyhow, I seem to remember that the guy that hit in front of Gehrig was a converted pitcher.) Last night as I was starting to adjust my mind to basketball, I think I heard one of the announcers say that if you projected Micah's hitting onto a full season you would get something like a .330 batting average, forty home runs, and 150 RBI's.
And heaps and bunches of thanks and accolades to Snakepit for making the season more fun.
by FormerGiantFan on Oct 16, 2007 3:18 PM EDT reply actions
Why Owings doesn't play a position
I agree
They talked about
As for Byrnes on the last play.... I thought a player gets to 1st faster without diving. maybe im wrong. i guess it doesnt/didnt really make a difference anyways
I believe Mythbusters tested that...
They got that wrong, actually.
Wouldn't burn up players
by andrewinnewyork on Oct 16, 2007 4:55 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah
I can't give you the specifics but...
I agree with TwinnerA (again), Micah is a rookie that has shown lots of potential as a pitcher given more experience and a larger repertoire of pitches. One note--since I usually don't get to see the games on TV only GameDay, one thing I noticed during the series was how Micah defends that the mound and the surrounding area much better than other pitchers. I don't know if he ends up after his pitch in a stance that allows him to do this or he is just more athletic but it's almost like getting another infielder.
The Mets...
Shame we don't have a left-handed Micah Owings too.
Hmmm...
;-) JK. (I think)
Working on defense...
Their defense
Hilarious
Well....
Besides
by AZSEAfan @ AZ Snakepit on Oct 16, 2007 5:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Except....
I almost agree
The managers don't really coach too much. The managers fill out the lineup cards and make the in-game decisions. If anything, it's the bench, pitching, hitting, and other role coaches that try to tweak or improve a certain aspect of a player's skillset.
Like most ideal "real-world" managers, Melvin basic job is to hire the right people and to let them run the show.
by AZSEAfan @ AZ Snakepit on Oct 16, 2007 6:53 PM EDT up reply actions
'Most of the coaching happens in the minors'
by DbacksSkins on Oct 16, 2007 10:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Hurdle
by AZSEAfan @ AZ Snakepit on Oct 17, 2007 2:54 AM EDT up reply actions
As a reminder of this season...
How sweet is that??
offseason
Right now we do not match up with the Rockies for all but one or two positions. If moves are not made to improve this club we could be looking at 3rd or 4th place. Are these players going to learn to hit between now and when the bell rings for 2008?
by kylerkenney on Oct 16, 2007 6:48 PM EDT reply actions
I think...
by oklahomasooners on Oct 16, 2007 7:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Heyyyyyyy!!!!
Yeah
by DbacksSkins on Oct 16, 2007 10:45 PM EDT up reply actions
I tried to avoid saying it
I'm not surprised,
by DbacksSkins on Oct 16, 2007 11:08 PM EDT up reply actions
I hear
by andrewinnewyork on Oct 16, 2007 8:02 PM EDT reply actions
That would bring alot of
by Mr. Philosophical on Oct 16, 2007 8:06 PM EDT up reply actions
I don't know if anyone is watching Cleveland-BoSox
I've been following it
Likely.
I've always liked Tim Wakefield.
by DbacksSkins on Oct 16, 2007 11:11 PM EDT up reply actions
I like Tim Wakefield too...
Wow...
On another note, Joe Girardi?? He's in the Fox postgame show now?? Smart guy. Kind of a douche, though.
On another another note, aren't you a Pats fan? There's always them.
by DbacksSkins on Oct 16, 2007 11:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Actually, I'm a Colts fan but the Pats are my ..
And, Phil, (I may call you Phil?) you did mention summering in Colorado a month or so ago because I mentioned to you that I spent a summer in Colorado Springs too. You also mentioned skiing. I am cursed with a good memory. Speaking of your name, you must be of English descent because "Phil" is not a common name any more. It's a big name on my dad's side of the family--very English.
You like the Colts AND Pats??
Joe Girardi played catcher for a few teams, one of whom was the Yankees (for about 3 years I believe) and one of whom, since we're on the subject, was the Rockies. He was MOTY during his first year for the Marlins last year, and then got sacked by Jeffrey Loria. (Loria's a great owner, isn't he? First the Expos and now the Marlins. Such a successful track record.) He went to one of the Chicago schools; I think it was Northwestern. He flirted with the Orioles after Sam Perlozzo was fired, and they wanted to hire him, but he turned them down. The consensus around the league was that he was just trying to get his name back in the news because he wants to manage the Yankees after Torre gets fired. (Which now looks like it may not happen. Haha!!) As to whether or not he insulted the Red Sox, I have no idea.
Yes, you may call me Phil. I do remember us having this conversation, when I was talking to Silverblood during one of her first visits here. However, I've only actually ever "summered" in Colorado once; all the other visits were for skiing.
Phil is a big name on my dad's side of the family too, but the only English in me is a sliver from my mom's mostly Irish side of the family. My dad's side is Italian, and the first Philip on that side was an Italian immigrant in the early 20th century. (There have been four more since, including me)
by DbacksSkins on Oct 17, 2007 12:26 AM EDT up reply actions
Christ... (No, seriously. It's about the Rockies.)
That's satire
Really?????????
The Onion is real
by 4CornersFan on Oct 17, 2007 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions
Well, by that criterion,
Next you'll try and tell me
Eh...
Silver....
Oh, I know
According to Ryan Spilborghs
Vin Diesel? Did The Rock have another committment?
What Spilly is
I spose every team has its Orlando Hudsons.
He talks a lot
Josh...
Please... no....
Not sure
I like
by AZSEAfan @ AZ Snakepit on Oct 17, 2007 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Heh
Damn reply to this
Wow
That's flippin' amazing. I think TC needs to stay home.
by AZSEAfan on Wed Oct 17, 2007 at 06:34:19 PM EDT
[ Reply to This ]
by AZSEAfan @ AZ Snakepit on Oct 17, 2007 6:35 PM EDT up reply actions
I tidied up...
by Jim McLennan on Oct 17, 2007 10:56 PM EDT up reply actions
I apologize
by AZSEAfan @ AZ Snakepit on Oct 18, 2007 1:13 AM EDT up reply actions




















